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Modding Cheap Bass
- Thread starter Morian
- Start date
bridge is a good place to start. if you are going for cosmetics putting on a new pickguard may help! if you want to change the sound new pickups can drastically change the sound of your bass
3 things to do to a cheap bass that are the least expensive and give the most for your money.
1) the right strings for the bass (spend time reading the string forum)
2) replace pots with CTS (this seems to always make an immediate tone difference)
3) Setup
All of these have been mentioned many times in this forum. I have applied these 3 steps to a couple of Squiers and made a noticable difference.
1) the right strings for the bass (spend time reading the string forum)
2) replace pots with CTS (this seems to always make an immediate tone difference)
3) Setup
All of these have been mentioned many times in this forum. I have applied these 3 steps to a couple of Squiers and made a noticable difference.
It might not be for you but I love the sound of darkstar pickups, I would love to chuck a couple of those in a squire along with a graphite neck. That would be sweeeeeet
It may simply be cheaper to spend the money on a better bass in the long run. You may end up throwing good money after bad, so to speak. However a good setup, good string choice and good technique can make the most basic of instruments reasonably okay in the right hands.
3 things to do to a cheap bass that are the least expensive and give the most for your money.
1) the right strings for the bass (spend time reading the string forum)
2) replace pots with CTS (this seems to always make an immediate tone difference)
3) Setup
+1 Beyond that, I would invest VERY modestly in upgrades. By the time you put in a BAII, a set of top quality tuners, and a top-end pickup, you will probably have spent more than the bass cost you. Instead....
-Rather than a BAII, there are several models of "heavier" direct-drop-in replacement bridges that can be had for 15-22 bucks.
-A GFS or other inexpensive Alnico magnet pickup can boost the tone for less than 50 bucks. Unless you are very unhappy with the tone after replacing the pots (an 11 dollar investment) I wouldn't bother replacing the pups on a cheapo.
-If the tuners aren't broken, don't mess with them, but if they are defective, a set of wilkinson fender style tuners can be had for less than 50 bucks.
When I need cheap upgrades, I do a search online for "cheap guitar parts" and always find a number of dealers offering what I am looking for.
I would also add replacing the neck and bridge screws with longer-threaded models (at least on a Squier). That & CTS pots/orange cap makes a big difference.
While "modding" a cheap bass may be polishing a turd, and you probably won't get money back, I still think it's OK. You will learn something. You will probably get a better bass out of it. If you like the way a bass feels and looks but want a different sound, why not?
My main bass is a Yamaha BB605. Not a bad bass at all, but not upscale either. I didn't like the single coils, so I put in Barts. I also replaced the preamp with a Bartolini. I liked the Bart sound of my previous and more expensive basses, so I figured what the hell. The bass plays beautifully, and I think looks nice, too. It also has a small body and is light. Would I ever "get my money back" selling it? Probably not. Do I care? No.
I have modded many other basses and have never recouped my expenses. I have also learned quite a bit.
My 2 cents.
My main bass is a Yamaha BB605. Not a bad bass at all, but not upscale either. I didn't like the single coils, so I put in Barts. I also replaced the preamp with a Bartolini. I liked the Bart sound of my previous and more expensive basses, so I figured what the hell. The bass plays beautifully, and I think looks nice, too. It also has a small body and is light. Would I ever "get my money back" selling it? Probably not. Do I care? No.
I have modded many other basses and have never recouped my expenses. I have also learned quite a bit.
My 2 cents.
I just got a DiMarzio P/J pickup set (DP126) for my Fernandes bass, and it was a huge improvement in the overall tone and sound quality. Added a little neck shim while I was at it, and got the action a little lower as well. The Fernandes isn't a POS, but it was an inexpensive bass nonetheless that now plays very well and sounds great. The pickups came (new) to $53 bucks after the Live.com rebate.
+1
A good quality cap only costs about a buck, and can be a great thing. I love the Sprague "orange" caps that I put in my Darkstar pickup equipped T-40. I've even had good results replacing super cheapo capacitors (clearish plastic things that look like they fell off a cheap computer) with nicer Radio shack capacitors.
i heard that SX basses are mod-able. they are cheap and look beautiful. though im sure the electronics are crap.
www.rondomusic.com
offers SX basses. they look a lot like Fenders
www.rondomusic.com
offers SX basses. they look a lot like Fenders
It depends on why you are upgrading, IMHO. I am modding a lot because I will be custom building from parts soon, then making custom bodies and then maybe on to custom necks....
Modding on inexpensive basses always makes them better in terms of qualtiy, and if you mess up, so what?
Also, I say this all the time, and this is IMHO.....buying a bass and worrying about resale is stupid. I buy basses to play till I am tired of them or forever, whichever.
I would buy a high end/high priced bass for a really low price and then turn it around and sell it for more money to make a profit.
But then I am not buying a bass, per se. In that case I am turning a profit and the bass would mean as much to me as if I bought a lawnmower for 50 bucks and was able to sell it for 300.....
Ok, now that I have had time to read through all your posts. I am modding this bass for 2 reasons.
1) This is currently the bass I have to work with, and wouldn't want to buy a new one to start learning how to mod on.
2) I like the feel of this bass, although it's heavier than I would like , it's still a very nice bass being that it's cheap.
So now I would like suggestions as to what sort of pickups and wiring I should use. I would therefore like useful information, not someone telling me to stop wasting my money and buy a bass that I can't afford. If I wanted a new bass I know which one I'd buy, but I don't have that kind of money.
Cheers
1) This is currently the bass I have to work with, and wouldn't want to buy a new one to start learning how to mod on.
2) I like the feel of this bass, although it's heavier than I would like , it's still a very nice bass being that it's cheap.
So now I would like suggestions as to what sort of pickups and wiring I should use. I would therefore like useful information, not someone telling me to stop wasting my money and buy a bass that I can't afford. If I wanted a new bass I know which one I'd buy, but I don't have that kind of money.
Cheers
This comment alone has about a million threads on it. I personally have owned 4 now, and have modded each of them (or am in the process of modding) for the experience - the finish is top-notch for a sub-$200 bass and the pups/electronics aren't half bad, either. I would take a good SX over a Squier or Jay Turser (etc) any day.
Some cats around here gig their stock SX basses, and I wouldn't hesitate to gig one - I just like modding.
Great thread and lots of good ideas!
I recently picked up a used Squire P Bass as a backup for my Guild Pilot. I intend to mod it so there's some great info here.
I've already ordered a set of EMG Selects to install and I'm considering upgrading pots and changing the scratch plate from the plain white to Red Tort......
I already ordered the PU from Stew-Mac and was wondering about their P Bass wiring kit. It comes complete with pots, cap, jack and wire. Has anybody used one? How did it work out for you?
Thanks for all the ideas and info!
I recently picked up a used Squire P Bass as a backup for my Guild Pilot. I intend to mod it so there's some great info here.
I've already ordered a set of EMG Selects to install and I'm considering upgrading pots and changing the scratch plate from the plain white to Red Tort......
I already ordered the PU from Stew-Mac and was wondering about their P Bass wiring kit. It comes complete with pots, cap, jack and wire. Has anybody used one? How did it work out for you?
Thanks for all the ideas and info!
If you are sure you are a "Fender" type bass player (P or Jazz) you can remove the upgraded parts and reassemble the bass before you get rid of it and "recycle" the aftermarket parts to the new P or Jazz bass you upgrade to. Environmentally friendly? Perhaps.
Basically it's worth it only if you plan to learn from it and/or if the wood is good enough (or if it doesn't cost you anything of course).
In my case, I heavily modded a ultra-low-cost Stagg because I had most of the needed parts anyway and the bass had real potential. The sound certainly has changed dramatically but I'd say the most important thing in the end is to have good tuners&bridge, good strings, a good setup, and as much as possible good pickups.
But good enough parts doesn't mean luxury parts, that's for sure. And for example replacing your bridge will change the sound, but that doesn't mean it'll be better. Similarily pickups can change dramatically your sound but then again if your bass can't stay tuned it will still sound crappy.
But in the end it's more than likely that you will spend a lot more than buying another bass.
In my case, I heavily modded a ultra-low-cost Stagg because I had most of the needed parts anyway and the bass had real potential. The sound certainly has changed dramatically but I'd say the most important thing in the end is to have good tuners&bridge, good strings, a good setup, and as much as possible good pickups.
But good enough parts doesn't mean luxury parts, that's for sure. And for example replacing your bridge will change the sound, but that doesn't mean it'll be better. Similarily pickups can change dramatically your sound but then again if your bass can't stay tuned it will still sound crappy.
But in the end it's more than likely that you will spend a lot more than buying another bass.
These type of project can get out of hand!! 2 years ago I purchased a Geddy Lee body for $100 thinking that I would just get used parts on talkbass and ebay and just put it together. Well know it is on it second neck and being plek'd. The electronics have changed. gone thorugh 2 pickups and 2 preamps. Probably have $1200 in it and could never recoup the investment. But it is a sweet bass and have no intentions of getting rid of it and it's exactly as I want it
Yep. It's tricky. I bought a Stagg jag-style bass about a month ago. I have a new rock gig and I thought it looked right. Put an Audere pre in it, new strings and Hipshot ultralites to make it usable. I've got close to $600 in it, which I'll never get back selling it as it is. It's ok, though. Once I put some decent pups in it, I'll be even more upside down on it. Believe me, I'm keeping the stock parts to put back in it.
I would have a much better bass if I just grabbed a Tribute L-2000, but this thing looks so cool for rock.
I would have a much better bass if I just grabbed a Tribute L-2000, but this thing looks so cool for rock.
